NEW plans for the Ealees canalside site in Littleborough have revealed the developers want to double the number of apartments they originally proposed to build.

NEW plans for the Ealees canalside site in Littleborough have revealed the developers want to double the number of apartments they originally proposed to build.

In April 2004 Brother Developments sought planning permission to construct a five-storey building with 22 apartments above shops on Canal Street.

The plan also included a new pub-style restaurant and a tapas bar.

The developers said they would go back to the drawing board with their scheme after about 60 Littleborough residents complained bitterly about the proposals at a heated public meeting.

People were concerned new homes would bring extra traffic to already congested roads and that the proposed building wouldn't be in keeping with the area.

Despite these concerns, the new plans being unveiled by Brother Developments show the number of apartments has almost doubled to 42.

The family pub and the tapas bar are still part of the plans, but a new part of the scheme could see the Littleborough Historical and Archaeological Society using one of the retail units as a base.

The society has been looking for a new home to store its collection of historical artefacts and is currently discussing the proposal with the developers and their consultants.

There would also be a piazza area for public events and outdoor eating. The carpet studio and an old garage building on the site would be retained in the plans.

Littleborough residents can see the plans at a three-day exhibiton at the Coach House next weekend.

Representatives of Brother Developments and the architects will be available between 11am and 1pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday to discuss these plans.

Once the public consultation is finished the developers hope to submit a planning application by mid-summer.

Ted Devereux, Littleborough Canalside Development Group secretary, said: "I don't want to comment until I see the plans, but I would urge everyone in Littleborough to go and look at them."

John Boys, of Brother Developments, said: "We have worked hard to produce a scheme that is both viable and responds to feedback we recevied on the initial scheme."

John Hudson, from Rochdale Development Agency, said: "This is the most imaginative canalside scheme we have been involved with. If it is approved I'm sure the new development will be an asset Littleborough people will be proud of."

Barry Dean, consultants to the developer, said: "The development is 100 yards from the railway station and we hope people will travel to work using the train. We also have an underground car park to deal with parking issues."